Welcome to the Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE) E-Newsletter! This publication exists to connect educators and our community with valuable news, information, and opportunities!
Whether you are an educator, business owner, agency personnel, or a concerned citizen…we hope that you will find something useful and interesting in each month’s publication!
In This Issue:
USEE News
Community Corner
Environmental Education News
Educator’s Corner
USEE News
Upcoming Events
Project Learning Tree PreK-8 Educator Workshop
April 14, 2007 ~ Arches National Park, Moab, UT (9:00 – 5:00)
Join us at Arches National Park for an all day adventure with Project Learning Tree! We will also incorporate several activities from the PLT Energy & Me program during this workshop. There is a $20 registration fee which includes the Activity Guide, lunch, and entrance into the park for the day. For more information or to register, contact Staci Strenkert at (801) 328-1549 or staci@usee.org. Registration deadline is April 4th. Space is limited so register early!
Project Learning Tree Secondary Educator Workshop insert pic:
April 27, 2007 ~ Clearfield High School (11:30am – 3:30pm)
Join us for an exciting workshop featuring two Project Learning Tree secondary modules: Municipal Solid Waste and Places We Live. There is a $15 registration fee; all attendees receive copies of both activity guides. For more information or to register, contact Staci Strenkert at (801) 328-1549 or staci@usee.org. Space is limited, so register early
News
USEE Staff Update
As wintertime draws to a close, USEE must also bid farewell to Sommer. Sommer Thorgusen began as an AmeriCorps intern in 2005 and continued on as our Operations Manager into 2007. She has been a phenomenal asset to the team, and will be sorely missed by us all! We wish her the best of luck as she pursues her ambitions in Psychology.
Community Corner
Upcoming Events
Orchid Show and Spring Bulb Show & Competition
April 7 -8 & April 14-15 ~ Red Butte Garden (9:00am-5:00pm)
Welcome the approach of spring, and check out the shows and competitions at Red Butte Garden this April. If you’d like to see some extraordinary displays of curious-looking and sweet-smelling orchids or if you’d prefer to show off your skill and hard work at the Spring Bulb Competition, then learn how to get involved at www.redbuttegarden.org.
The West: The Center of America's Clean Energy Future ~ Utah Energy Summit
April 15 - 17, 2007 ~ Salt Lake City, UT
The American West is home to many of our nation's vast natural resources, high caliber workforce, and cooperative policy landscape. Come discuss the future of clean energy policy and the West’s role in meeting energy needs. Learn more at www.UtahEnergySummit.com!
GOT SUN? Learn How to Use It ~ Solar Energy International (SEI)
April 16-21, 2007 ~ Salt Lake City, UT
SEI will be teaching a Photovoltaic Design and Installation Class! Participants will learn how to determine the best site for solar panels, size a system, specify components to fit electricity needs, and install a system to code. They will also visit local solar installations and hear presentations from local solar advocates. Visit www.solarenergy.org for additional information.
Natural Resource Festival
April 19-21, 2007 ~ Richfield, UT @ Snow College South
Check out the Natural Resource Festival, a unique opportunity for communities, agencies, and private businesses to come together as partners to provide exhibits on a wide variety of natural resource issues to students and the public. For details, call Kami at (435) 896-5697.
Community News
Winter’s Haze
Lately, you may have seen the news or read the local newspaper regarding Utah’s air quality. Logan and Salt Lake City were recently listed as the top two cities in the nation for poor air quality. Fine particle pollution, mainly from vehicles and industry, combined with the unique geography and weather conditions of the Wasatch Front valleys are what cause pollution to get trapped in naturally occurring inversions throughout the winter. Subsequently, the high concentration of pollutants in our air can cause serious health threats to many individuals in the surrounding communities.
To learn more about how you can help reduce the impact on poor air quality and stay informed on current air quality levels, visit the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s website at http://www.cleanair.utah.gov/.
(Source http://www.deq.utah.gov/references/FactSheets/AQ_Health_Effects.htm)
Did You Know..?
“Although cats make wonderful pets for humans, they’re deadly to birds and small mammals. Of the approximately 66 million cats in the US, about 40 million are allowed to roam outside. […Their] predatory habits are in direct competition with native predators and a threat to populations of many small animals.
Even when well fed, cats instinctively hunt and kill prey. Studies in Wisconsin alone have shown that cats kill over 7 million birds each year. Not everyone agrees with the numbers, but no one can deny they kill many animals… If all cats were kept inside, wildlife preservation would be improved all across the continent.”
(Source: Roger Tory Peterson Inst. of Natural History “Electronic Naturalist” http://www.enaturalist.org/unit/151/fr)
To read more, visit the following links:
http://wildlife.wisc.edu/extension/catfly3.htm
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/7148.htm
http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/factsheets/predation.pdf
Environmental Education News & Events
Local
Earth Day 2007 Climate Change Art Challenge Announcement
Deadline: April 2, 2007
Attention Educators and School Administrators! The U.S. EPA, Region 8, would like to invite you to participate in the 2007 Earth Day Climate Change Art Challenge. The winners will be chosen based on the most creative and representative drawings of Climate Change. A certificate will be awarded to the winning students and schools. For details, call 1-800-227-8917 or visit http://www.epa.gov/region8/ee/ccart.html.
Call for Entries! ~ 14th Annual Birdhouse Contest & Exhibit
Deadline for Entries: April 2-April 7
Nature lovers, designers, artists, craftspeople, and others who give a hoot about birds are invited to enter their hand-crafted birdhouses. Artists of all ages may enter up to two works and there is no entry fee. For more information, contact the Ogden Nature Center at (801) 621-7595.
REGIONAL
Teaching Outside the Box
April 27-29, 2007 ~ Winter Park, CO (Early Bird Registration: March 9)
Check out Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education’s (CAEE) premiere professional development event offering over 50 sessions, full- and half-day pre-conference workshops, an exciting keynote presentation by award-winning author Gary Ferguson, a resource room, and countless opportunities for networking and discovering new tools, tips, and techniques. Visit http://www.caee.org/development/conference/totbconference for details.
NATIONAL
NSTA National Conference
March 29-April 1, 2007 ~ St. Louis, MO
Looking for an in-depth experience to improve your content knowledge or pedagogical understanding? Then join the NSTA discussions and presentations on timely and engaging topics in advancing science learning and teaching. To register, visit http://www.nsta.org/stlouis.
Sign up for National Environmental Education (EE) Week!
April 15-22, 2007
Now, in its third year, EE Week seeks to enhance the educational impact of Earth Day and create a full week of environmental education preparation, learning, and activities. Get involved and learn how to host a hike, coordinate a litter pick-up, or just download some classroom lesson plans by visiting http://www.eeweek.org today!
2007 NAAEE Annual Conference and Research Symposium
November 14-17, 2007 ~ Virginia Beach, VA
NAAEE will be holding its annual conference “Explore New Horizons for Environmental Education,” November 14-17, 2007 in Virginia Beach. For further details, visit www.naaee.org.
Educator’s Corner
Professional Development/ Training Opportunities
Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative
Registration begins: April 8, 2007
The U.S. Department of Education's Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative will be held in 22 cities throughout the country to provide free high-quality professional development opportunities for teachers. Prominent educators will share best practices in all grade levels and content areas. For more information, visit https://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Schedule.asp.
NOLS Leave No Trace Master Educator Course
April 23-27, 2007 ~ Zion National Park, UT
Embark on a 5-day backpacking trip through deep sandstone canyons and striking rock towers and mesas. This course is designed for people who actively teach others outdoor skills or provide recreation information to the public and emphasizes the following three components: low-impact camping skills; wildland ethics; and outdoor teaching techniques. Scholarship money is available. Visit http://www.lnt.org/training/index.html for details.
Master’s Degree in Environmental Education ~ Merry Lea and Goshen College
A Masters Degree in EE is now available from Merry Lea and Goshen College. Students will gain practice in the delivery of quality programs, managing a natural area, and operating an environmental center. This program prepares its graduates to work in schools; nature centers; outdoor education, public park, and recreation programs; and environmental organizations. For details, contact Dr. Luke Gascho at (260) 799-5869 or email lukeag@goshen.edu.
Teacher Resources
Sign-up for the EPA's Earth Day E-Packet
Two weeks prior to Earth Day an e-packet e-mail will be sent to subscribing schools and teachers that will incorporate the best of EPA on-line student resources. The e-packet will contain environmental messaging, links, and PDFs that teachers can easily download and use for Earth Day activities. Visit the EPA EE Homepage and type in your email address at www.epa.gov/region8/ee to receive this great resource!
eNaturalist Website & Newsletter
Check out this great, free website-http://www.enaturalist.org/- packed full with excellent information and resources! The eNaturalist website is a project of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History providing plant and animal information with illustrations, weekly lesson units, and access to a naturalist with "Ask a Naturalist."
Grants & Awards
NAAEE ~ Call for Nominations!
Nomination deadline: April 1, 2007
NAAEE’s annual awards program recognizes high-quality environmental education in several areas. Nominations are now open for the 2007 awards, which will be presented in November at the 36th Annual Conference in VA. You need not be an NAAEE member to enter, and not all of the 10 categories require NAAEE membership to win. Visit www.naaee.org for details.
International Paper & Conservation Fund Awards
Deadline: April 15, 2007
International Paper, in partnership with The Conservation Fund, annually honors the conservation accomplishments of two individuals. Each International Paper Environmental Excellence Award is accompanied by an unrestricted $10,000 grant, made possible by support from The International Paper Company Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2331.
Nominate a Young Eco-Hero for a $2,000 Barron Prize!
Deadline: April 30, 2007
The Gloria Barron Prize honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Every year, ten national winners each receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher education. Half of each year's winners are chosen for their work to protect the environment. For details, visit http://www.barronprize.org/
PLT Expands Greenworks! Service-Learning Program
Deadline for proposals: April 30, 2007
This year, PLT is making $100,000 available for "learning-by-doing" environmental projects that:
- Partner PLT educators and their students with local businesses or community organizations
- Combine academics with community service
- Engage elementary through college-age students in active learning about the environment
- Provide opportunities for student leadership
For additional information, visit http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/31_41_44.html.
EE Jobs
Naturalist Training ~ Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center
Interested in teaching and learning outdoors? Would you like to earn 18 graduate credits (half of a Masters) while living and learning in a community of over 30 skilled environmental educators and naturalists? The Wolf Ridge Naturalist Training Program on the north shore of Lake Superior in Finland, Minnesota has openings in its graduate level certificate program. To learn more, visit www.wolf-ridge.org and click on Naturalist Training, then contact Joe Walewski at eetraining@wolf-ridge.org or call 1-218-353-7414.
ORION Grassroots Network
The Internship & Career Service lists hundreds of great positions connecting over 1,000 nonprofit organizations doing vital work in the areas of conservation, restoration, education, democracy, justice, health, and economics. To learn more, visit http://www.orionsociety.org/pages/ogn/ics.cfm.
For a list of additional environmental education job/internship opportunities visit USEE’s EE Jobs page: http://usee.org/eeinfo/jobs.html.